by Parker Blue
He shot me a sideways glance as if to say my question was too personal, but answered anyway. “Not many, and each time it was with their full knowledge and consent. It is not something we do lightly. There are a great many responsibilities and duties associated with being a sire.”
“Really? Like what?” Jack asked eagerly.
Glancing at the former keeper in the rearview mirror, Austin drawled, “I prefer to keep that to myself.” When that killed the conversation, he added, “The drive takes about an hour. Perhaps you could use the time to teach Val about the books, so she doesn’t have to rely on her succubus all the time. How far have you gotten?”
“Not far,” I said.
“There’s still a lot to learn,” Jack added. “But I prefer to do that in private, if you don’t mind.”
HE DOESN’T WANT TO SHARE IN FRONT OF THE VAMPS, Fang translated.
Yeah, I got that, but sooner or later, Jack was going to have to give me some more details I could use.
Austin shrugged. “Suit yourself. I just thought she should learn more as soon as she could. Never know when another mage demon might come looking for the books.”
Good point—one I’d been trying to make with Jack since we’d tossed those two mages through the portal and onto their keesters in another world.
When Jack didn’t answer, Austin asked, “Is it true Trevor’s father caused the 1906 San Francisco earthquake? I was there, too.”
And that’s all it took to get the two of them swapping war stories about an event that had happened long before I was born. Yawn. Thank goodness the drive to the capital wasn’t longer.
When we passed Garlic Creek and Slaughter Creek on the outskirts of Austin, Jack chuckled and observed how appropriate it was for vampires. “I see why their slogan is Keep Austin Weird.”
Cowboy Austin was not amused, so the rest of the ride was in silence until we arrived at an office building near downtown. The entrance had a sign with what looked like three red raindrops, and I realized I’d seen that symbol before on the Movement’s establishments in San Antonio. Must be a universal vamp blood bank donation sign for those in the know, kind of like the green cross for medical marijuana dispensaries.
We followed Alejandro’s car into the gated underground garage and the five of us plus Fang got out and stretched. Alejandro, Austin, and Vincent looked all dressed up in their business suits. When Vincent gave Jack and me a subtle up and down sneer, he managed to make me feel scruffy. Oh, well, I didn’t have anything resembling a suit and wouldn’t wear it even if I did. So, I smiled at him like it didn’t matter.
Alejandro didn’t seem to care. Gathering us together, he said, “We are the guest of another vampire, in her territory. Ms. Shapiro, Mr. Grady, I don’t expect you to know our customs, and they won’t expect you to, either. I would ask you, though, to keep quiet and follow my lead.”
I shrugged. “Okay, I’ll be good.” But I didn’t let on that when I’d gotten out of the car, I’d tucked a bit of wooden insurance in the back waistband of my jeans, just in case. It was covered with my vest.
We all piled into the elevator and Alejandro spoke briefly with someone on the intercom, then we took the elevator to the top. But instead of revealing a cubicle farm, the opening doors showed a sumptuous apartment that must have taken up the entire penthouse. The walls and floors looked like they were made of cream-colored marble with veins of gold, and there were gilded cherubs, scrolls, flowers and other gold crap all over the walls and furniture. The windows were draped in heavy, emerald-green silk, and the striped cushions on the carved and gilded furniture matched.
WHOA. IT LOOKS LIKE LOUIS THE FOURTEENTH THREW UP IN HERE, Fang said.
I had to agree. Not a style I’d go for. But it was a perfect frame for the woman I’d just noticed. She lounged on a settee in the middle of the room, her long flowing red hair, creamy complexion and emerald slip dress beautifully complemented by the carefully designed room. She was stunning, and she knew it. Even the four hunks surrounding her, in skin-baring black leather vests and pants, seemed to have been chosen for their ability to complement her and the room. Though to me, they resembled rejects from an erotic romance cover shoot.
Cliché much?
“Alejandro,” she crooned and languidly raised one milky-white arm toward him, her wrist limp.
Alejandro apparently knew his duty, for he glided over to her, dropped to one knee and kissed the outstretched hand. “Lisette, how good to see you again.”
Gag me.
GUESS WE KNOW NOW WHY THEY LEFT ROSA AT HOME, Fang quipped.
Yeah. I couldn’t suppress a grin and Austin shot me a warning look. I shrugged and tried to cultivate a serious expression. It was difficult, though, with this silly farce playing out before us. Jack didn’t seem to think so, though. He appeared fascinated by it all, especially Lisette.
Her four attendants, good-looking blonds all from the same cookie cutter, didn’t look so happy. I privately labeled them Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Tweedledumber and just plain Twee. Mr. Dum, especially, looked as though he wanted to rip Alejandro’s throat out for touching Lisette. Twee looked more interested in Austin.
Speaking of Austin, he became the object of Lisette’s attention now. She slinked up off the lounge and undulated toward him with a predatory gleam in her eye, looking like a real-life version of Jessica Rabbit, the sexy cartoon bombshell from Roger Rabbit.
SHE’S NOT BAD, SHE’S JUST DRAWN THAT WAY, Fang said with a snicker.
Yeah, right.
Lisette didn’t spare a glance for the rest of us. Her eyes were all for Austin as she unnecessarily straightened his tie then caressed his chest. His blond studliness certainly fit her type. “Have you come to serve… under me… finally?” she asked, her lips a breath away from his.
Whoa. No wonder they called it vamping. And she was apparently an expert at it. Lola could take lessons from this chick. Not that Lola needed to—all she needed was her innate power. And speaking of Lola, she was getting quite interested in the four hunkalicious hotties over there. I figured it wasn’t cool to snack on your hostess’s flunkies, so I reined her in.
Austin removed Lisette’s hands gently from his jacket and took a step back, straightening his lapels. “No, I must refuse your flattering invitation once again. I am very happy serving under Alejandro.” His flat tone refused to recognize the innuendo.
She pouted but let him go and glided back to Alejandro and the Tweedles. “Too bad,” she said over her shoulder. “We could have such… fun.”
“Sadly,” Alejandro said, “we are not here to have fun.”
She pouted again, but swept an arm invitingly toward the chairs around her. “Please, have a seat.”
I perched on an ornate chair that was as uncomfortable as it looked. Tweedledumber stood behind me, and the others in our party had guards, too, except for Alejandro who sat facing Lisette. She, on the other hand, chose a chair that looked more like a throne.
Seriously? My mouth twitched and Fang nudged me with his nose, giving me a warning look. I bit my lip and controlled my expression. Okay, if she wanted to play queen for a day, I’d go along.
Lisette gave Alejandro a regal, condescending nod. “So, tell me, why have you brought the Slayer into my abode?”
I didn’t think she’d even seen me, much less known who I was. Tension suddenly ratcheted up as her minions focused intently on me. Hey, Lola was up for a little showdown, but I hoped it wasn’t necessary.
“I brought her here to help,” Alejandro said, his voice and gestures soothing.
“Help destroy us?” Lisette challenged, her nostrils flaring.
Sheesh. Did the woman always act as if some hidden camera was filming her every move?
“Not at all,” Alejandro said. “A soothsayer told me that if I led with Ms. Shapiro by my side, I would achieve my heart’s desire.”
Well, Tessa hadn’t actually mentioned my name. That was Alejandro’s interpretation.
“And your h
eart’s desire is… the New Blood Movement?” Lisette asked.
“Of course,” Alejandro said smoothly.
She nodded. “That is my desire as well. She will… behave while she is here?”
Alejandro smiled at me. “She has given her word to help me. And her word is her bond.”
Unfortunately, true—that darned contract. I gave her an innocent smile and tried to look like an obedient little Slayer. I guess it worked, because Lisette deigned to give me a glance, then apparently dismissed me from her thoughts. Tension eased and she seemed to relax.
Alejandro continued, “You say our friend in the government no longer wishes to help us?”
“That is correct. He doesn’t feel the timing is right.”
“But the legislature doesn’t convene again until January,” Alejandro protested. “How does he know the timing isn’t right?”
She shrugged. “I’ll let him answer for himself. Boys?”
Tweedledee evidently took that as a signal, because he crossed the room to another door and beckoned to someone beyond it. A man—a definite suit type with a photogenic face—came in, straightening his tie. It seemed everyone knew who he was but me and maybe Jack, because they didn’t introduce him.
Alejandro shook his hand and Lisette gestured him to a seat. Alejandro turned to face him. “I thought you were spending the holidays talking to the legislators and working on our behalf to convince them to legalize the Movement.”
The man shook his head. “I planned to, but this is a bad time. Haven’t you heard the news?”
“What news?” the vampire leader asked.
“There are reports of chupacabras terrorizing Austin.”
Huh? What was a chupacabra?
Fang shrugged. BEATS ME.
“Chupacabras?” Alejandro repeated, his eyebrows raised. Turning to us, he said, as if he couldn’t quite believe it himself, “In English, that means goat-sucker.”
I couldn’t help it. I let out a choke of laughter.
The legislator glared at me. “It is no laughing matter. Goats, deer, dogs… they have all been found drained of blood on the outskirts of the capital. We’re lucky the media is blaming a mythical creature instead of vampires, but if you reveal yourselves to the public now, the attention may shift to you… and not in a good way.”
Oh.
“Has anyone actually seen one of these chupacabras?” Alejandro asked in distaste.
“Not a reliable account. Just a midnight encounter. If we are to believe the witness, the creature is ten feet tall, grotesque, faster than lightning, and all fangs and claws. Ridiculous.”
“What have you done about it?” Lisette asked.
The man shrugged. “We are investigating, and I am subtly encouraging belief in this creature to turn attention away from you. But unless this threat is dealt with, public hysteria cannot be far behind.” He paused, then said, “I know it wouldn’t be anyone in the Movement, but do you think it could be some rogue vampires?”
Very politic of him, but rogues would go for humans, not animals.
“Very possible,” Lisette said. “With Alejandro’s help, we shall take care of this threat for you.”
The suit stood and smiled. “Thank you.” He leaned forward and they held a furtive whispered conversation for a few moments, then he nodded and left.
Wonder what that was all about?
HE PROPOSITIONED HER FOR TONIGHT AND SHE POLITELY DECLINED, Fang told me. At my startled look, he added, NO, HE’S NOT A DEMON. I CAN’T READ HIS MIND. I JUST HAVE GOOD EARS.
Once the suit had left, Alejandro said, “You know it is unlikely to be rogues. What do you think it is? Do you believe in this cartoon monster?”
Lisette shook her head, then glanced away, looking pained. “We have… three members who have gone missing, right around the time of the ‘chupacabra’ attacks. I don’t think they would do such a thing, but it cannot be discounted.”
Yep, three crazed vamps would account for it.
“Who?” Alejandro asked.
“Etienne, Ronald, and…” she glanced apologetically at Austin, “. . . Wes.”
“No.” The single word exploded out of Austin like a gunshot. “I sired Wes. I know him. He would never do such a thing.”
“Nor would Ronald and Etienne,” Lisette said. “But the fact remains, they are missing, and we cannot find a sign of them.”
“Are you certain?” Jack asked. “People can change—”
“Highly improbable,” Alejandro confirmed. “Once they are turned, people become more of what they were as humans, not less.”
“Yes,” Austin added. “Wes was a kind, gentle man as a human, and no less so as a vampire. I can’t see him draining livestock.”
“Nor can we,” Lisette said.
Jack shrugged, seeming unafraid of the bloodsuckers. “Perhaps someone is forcing them to hunt, or is imprisoning them so the blame will fall on them later. There could be other reasons.”
Lisette nodded. “That is why we allowed you to come. Perhaps between us, we can learn what this creature is and stop it before it ruins things for all of us.” She glanced at me. “You seem to enjoy killing things. Perhaps you would assist us in tracking these creatures down and eliminating them?”
Now that was just insulting. All they ever wanted from me was lust or death. If they were going to treat me like this, I wanted something out of it, too. And I knew just the thing. “It’s not in my contract,” I told her with a fake smile.
TAKE THAT, YOU BLOODSUCKER, Fang exclaimed.
Austin made an abortive movement, like he wanted to grab me but restrained himself. “Val, please, you must help us. She’s right—you and Fang are very good at this sort of thing.”
Fang nudged me with his nose. HE’S GOT YOU THERE.
Alejandro gazed at me sternly. “The contract states that you agree to help us reveal ourselves. We won’t be able to do that until the menace is abated. Surely, you see that this is related, an integral part of our agreement.”
Exactly what I thought he’d say. “That’s open to interpretation. Shall we have our lawyers get together and discuss it?”
“Val—” Austin began to protest, but I cut him off.
“Never mind. Tell you what—I’ll make you a deal. If I find this so-called chupacabra for you and kill it, you terminate the contract.”
OH, GOOD PLAY.
Alejandro frowned. “I may need your services in the future, too.”
I shrugged. “And if you ask real nice and don’t treat me like a filthy assassin, I might even say yes.”
PLUS THE MONEY, Fang said. DON’T FORGET THE MONEY.
Don’t worry, I won’t.
Alejandro regarded me gravely for a moment, and I could see Lisette and Austin urging him silently to take the deal. “Very well,” he said reluctantly. “You have my word.”
“Good.” I turned to Lisette. “And if the chupacabra happens to be one of your people? Do you still want me to kill it?”
She looked uncertain for the first time since I’d met her. “I am not comfortable with you making that choice. You will take the boys with you—”
“No way. I work alone or not at all.”
She bristled, and Austin said, “Maybe a compromise?” When we both turned to face him, he added, “You’ve worked with a partner before, Val, so how about you take me on? You know how well we spar together.”
He gave me one of those raised eyebrow looks, and I knew he was reminding me that my powers were gone and that I could use someone with his speed and strength. Dang it, he was right, too. But I still hesitated, not wanting to give in too soon.
“I would consider it a personal favor,” Austin said softly, almost formally.
Several sharp intakes of breath alerted me to the fact that something significant had just happened. Unfortunately, I had no idea what it was. From the puzzled expression on his face, Jack didn’t seem to have a clue, either.
I THINK IT MEANS AUSTIN OWES YOU A FAVOR IN
RETURN, Fang said.
Okay, having Austin owe me a favor couldn’t be a bad thing. “All right then, you have a deal. I’ll even throw in tracking down your missing vamps for free.” After all, if it was the last thing I was forced to do for Alejandro, it was worth it.
Chapter Seven
Once I made my promise, Lisette seemed to have no more use for me. We retrieved our luggage from the cars and the Tweedles showed us to our rooms. Alejandro, Austin and Vincent got sumptuous guest suites right below the penthouse, while Jack and I were given adjoining rooms on a lower level apparently reserved for us second-class citizens who didn’t suck blood.
Fine with me. Though it resembled a bland beige hotel room, it had a bed, bath and desk, which was all I needed. While Fang nosed around, investigating the space, I called Shade.
He answered, but all I could hear was loud music. “Hold on,” he yelled. Soon, I heard a door close and the noise became muffled. “So, you made it all right?”
“Just fine. How about you? Find the Underground okay?”
“Sure. It’s on Sixth Street.”
My eyebrows rose. No wonder the music was so loud. I’d heard Sixth Street was party central for the college students. “In a bar?”
“Yeah. It’s called Club Purgatory, too. Kind of like a Demon Underground franchise across Texas, I guess.”
Weird.
“Where are you staying?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. Somewhere downtown. Probably not too far from you.”
“So, Alejandro have you working hard?”
“Kind of.” I filled him in on the chupacabra thing. “How’s it going there?”
“Okay, I guess. I’m still waiting to meet their leader. She’s busy with club business and performing, so it might be awhile.”
“Performing?”
“Yeah. She’s a succubus like you, and I guess she does some kind of sexy song act to feed on the audience. Like Micah does with his dancing.”
Another succubus? I didn’t like the sound of that, and Lola sure didn’t. She considered Shade her own personal snack. Alarm spiked in me. “Hey, they have some kind of vamps-only meet and greet thing going on now, so we unworthy demons have a few hours free. Want to get something to eat?”